Summary The STARHOSANGER experienced difficulty in starting the main engine during berthing operations in Vancouver Harbour. Control of manoeuvring is by means of a Diesel Manoeuvring System 900 (DMS 900) computer system activated by the wheelhouse telegraph. The operation of the DMS 900 was not fully understood by the officers of the vessel. They mistakenly intervened and overrode the automatic restart sequence preventing the DMS 900 from functioning properly. When the starting air pressure fell below normal levels, the vessel's anchors were dropped to stop her. After the air pressure was regained the main engine was started and the vessel manoeuvred alongside without any problems. Ce rapport est galement disponible en franais. Other Factual Information On the morning of 6 May 1997 the Bulk/Container Vessel STARHOSANGER departed Squamish, Howe Sound, BC, with a Pacific Coast Pilot on board, and proceeded to Vancouver, BC. After an uneventful passage the vessel entered Vancouver Harbour passing under First Narrows Bridge into the inner harbour. At approximately 0800 PDST (1500Z on Data Logger Record) the vessel commenced manoeuvring alongside the berth. Engine speeds were reduced from Full Ahead to Half Ahead at 08:10:25, again down to Slow Ahead at 08:12:36 and finally to Stop at 08:16:32. Following an order for Dead Slow Astern at 08:20:0, the telegraph was put on Dead Slow Astern but the main engine did not start. Instead the Repeated Start lamp on the bridge panel lit up, see drawing number 900.370.48 5 item 11, Appendix B. At the time the movement was demanded the engine was stopped, RPM zero on data log, and the ship had between 5 and 6 knots of ahead way according to the speed log. Since it appeared to the Master that the system required a repetition of the start sequence, the telegraph was put to Stop at 08:20:13 and then to Slow Astern at 08:20:36. Again the engine did not start but the Repeated Start lamp lit up. Start attempts were repeated four times before the Start Air Pressure fell to 17bar; below 15bar the engine start can only be done from the engine room control. Orders were given to drop the anchors and, because of the vessel's proximity to the Second Narrows Railway Bridge, the bridge operator was notified of the difficulties that the vessel was experiencing. The last Stop command on the telegraph was logged at 08:24:52. The Start Air Pressure built up quickly and the telegraph was put to Slow Astern at 08:27:15 at which time the engine started. The engine continued to operate through various movements until the vessel was moored at Lynnterm in North Vancouver. Manoeuvring of the main engine is by way of the telegraph and a Diesel Manoeuvring System 900 (DMS 900) computer system. The information regarding the DMS 900 control system and the Repeated Start condition is in manuals in English which had been translated from a Scandinavian language. The information in the manuals was apparently not fully understood by the ship's staff for whom English is a Second Language (ESL). The automatic control system was not used correctly. The Pacific Coast Pilot on board the vessel at the time of this occurrence was not fully briefed on the DMS feature and was also unaware of the automated repeated start system. There are four sister ships in this Company. The Master has sailed with the same Company since 1990. He had joined the vessel one month previously and had served four months on the vessel's sister ship STAR HERANGER. During this time he had not experienced any problems in manoeuvring either vessel. Main Engine Manoeuvring Control System The main engine of this vessel is controlled by an Alpha Computer which in turn controls a Diesel Manoeuvring System 900 (DMS 900) that translates the bridge telegraph demands into operational sequences. The last two paragraphs on page 3.4 of the Operating Instruction Manual for the DMS 900, give instructions regarding the Repeated Start and Start Blocked conditions for this unit. If the start attempt failed, a repeat start will automatically follow. After three failed start attempts a start-blocking occur, and the navigator has to move the telegraph handle to stop before a new start can be performed. If the engine is ordered to move in the opposite direction whilst moving, starting air will not be supplied until the engine speed has decreased below the reversing level. This may take several minutes depending on the ship's speed, propeller size, loading condition and other ship parameters. When the repeated start, built into the DMS 900, is activated the system will perform three start attempts before giving the alarm condition Start Blocked. These three repeated start attempts do not require the intervention of the navigator, unless the engine `start blocking' engages. Should the start blocking engage, the navigator has to put the telegraph on Stop to cancel the start blocking and then return the telegraph to the desired speed condition. During the repeated start sequence the DMS 900 also increases the engine fuel pump index by 20%, giving more fuel to the engine for the repeated starts. There was no reference to this increased fuel index in the manuals available to the ship's staff. The manufacturer sets this at the vessels sea trials and neither the navigator nor the engineer can change the settings and this was the reason it was not mentioned in the manuals.